Algae and Plants
65
Ipomoea aquatica (Forssk.)
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae
Common name: Water spinach,  river
spinach.
Distribution: Throughout the tropical
and subtropical regions of the world.
Habitat: Semiaquatic; water or on moist
soil.
Description: Its stems are 2–3 m long,
rooting at the nodes, and they are
hollow and can float. Leaves are sagittate (arrowhead shaped) to lanceolate, 5–15  cm long, and 2–8  cm broad.
Flowers are showy and funnel form
like morning glory blooms 3–5  cm in
diameter. They are solitary or in fewflowered clusters at leaf axils. Petals
are usually white in color with a mauve
center. The tender shoot and leaves of
this species are edible.
Nutritional Facts
Proximate Composition of Leaves (% WW)
Moisture a Ash Protein Lipid Fiber CHO b Energy c
72.83
10.83
6.30
11.00 17.67 54.20 300.94
a % DW.
b Carbohydrate.
c kcal/100 g.
Minerals (mg/100 g DM)
K
Na Ca Mg
P
Cu Fe Mn
Zn Co
5458 135 417 302 109 0.36 210 2.14 2.47 0.02
Source: Data from Umar et al. (2007).